Aims: We performed a propensity score matched analysis to explore whether TiNOX stents are superior to paclitaxel- (PES) and sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) in routine clinical practice.
Methods and results: A total of 1,607 patients undergoing implantation of SES, PES or TiNOX stents were prospectively entered into a stent registry and followed up for three years. Using propensity score matching, we compared clinical outcome among 319 pairs of patients treated with TiNOX stents or SES and 337 pairs of patients treated with TiNOX stents or PES. The primary outcome MACE, a composite of death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularisation occurred in 20% of patients with TiNOX stents, 19% of patients with SES and 23% of patients with PES at 3-years. The hazard ratio was 1.00 comparing TiNOX stents with SES (95% CI 0.69-1.45, p=1.00), and 0.95 comparing TiNOX stents with PES (95% CI 0.66-1.36, p=0.78).
Conclusion: We did not find evidence to suggest superiority of TiNOX stents over SES or PES. In view of similar clinical outcomes, but with the reduced duration of dual antiplatelet therapy used with the TiNOX stent, we suggest that TiNOX stents may be an alternative to drug-eluting stents in patients unsuitable for long-term dual antiplatelet therapy.